What are the main factors that influence a Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer III's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

What industry pays the highest salary for Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer III?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer III roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

How does experience change A Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer 's salary?

A Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer 's salary grows with experience: a CNC Programmer, Entry (0-2 years)earns $76,016, a CNC Programmer, Experienced (2-4 years)earns $86,750, a Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer III (4-7 years)earns $102,260, a CNC Programmer, Lead (7+ years)earns $131,293,

What are the highest paying cities for a Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer III?

Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer III salary varies significantly by city. The top 3 highest paying cities in California for Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer III roles are San Jose $107,583, San Francisco $106,403, Oakland $104,163.

How much do different types of Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer roles make?

Salaries for Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer level roles vary by specialization: Computer Numeric Control Specialist: $113,244; Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer IV: $109,513; Computer Numeric Controlled &Sheet Metal Pricing Estimator: $90,307; CNC Machine Programmer III: $85,281; Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer II: $72,363.

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Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer III Salary in Walnut Creek, CA

Q: What specialized skills increase a Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer III's salary?

Skills with high demand and low supply, such as Mechanical Engineering (up to 12% premium), Analysis (up to 11% premium), Word Processing (up to 10% premium), directly translate to higher compensation. Employers pay more for these capabilities to gain a competitive edge.

How much does a Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer III make in Walnut Creek, CA?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer III in Walnut Creek, CA is $102,283 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $49.

However, a Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

Top Earners (90th percentile): $127,386
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $93,883 to $115,423
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $86,235

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Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer III Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$115,423	$9,619	$2,220	$55
Average	$102,283	$8,524	$1,967	$49
25th Percentile	$93,883	$7,824	$1,805	$45

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Key Factors That Influence Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer III Salaries

A Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer III's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, skills, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer III's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

CNC Programmer, Entry (0-2 years): $76,016
CNC Programmer, Experienced (2-4 years): $86,750
Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer III (4-7 years): $102,260
CNC Programmer, Lead (7+ years): $131,293

Job Role	Years of Experience	Average Salary
CNC Programmer, Entry	0-2 years	$76,016
CNC Programmer, Experienced	2-4 years	$86,750
Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer III	4-7 years	$102,260
CNC Programmer, Lead	7+ years	$131,293

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Top Paying Cities for Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer IIIs

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

San Jose: $107,583
San Francisco: $106,403
Oakland: $104,163

San Jose, CA $107,583

San Francisco, CA $106,403

Oakland, CA $104,163

New York, NY $98,213

Paramus, NJ $97,013

Queens Village, NY $97,013

Passaic, NJ $96,933

Bergenfield, NJ $96,923

Stamford, CT $96,733

Huntington, NY $96,703

Newark, NJ $96,073

Bridgeport, CT $95,893

Vallejo, CA $95,723

New Brunswick, NJ $95,683

Petaluma, CA $95,633

Middlesex, NJ $95,473

Somerset, NJ $95,413

Santa Cruz, CA $95,303

Boston, MA $94,783

Monterey, CA $94,483

Seattle, WA $94,283

Santa Rosa, CA $94,273

Los Angeles, CA $94,243

Juneau, AK $94,023

Washington, DC $93,933

Orange, CA $93,623

Santa Ana, CA $93,403

Long Beach, CA $93,313

Anaheim, CA $93,303

Anchorage, AK $93,253

Santa Maria, CA $93,003

Everett, WA $92,983

Danbury, CT $92,683

Bremerton, WA $92,563

Tacoma, WA $92,253

New Suffolk, NY $92,253

Sacramento, CA $92,233

Santa Barbara, CA $92,143

Trenton, NJ $92,043

San Diego, CA $92,043

Brockton, MA $91,953

Fairbanks, AK $91,743

Lompoc, CA $91,523

Lowell, MA $91,453

Ventura, CA $91,443

Nashua, NH $91,423

Stockton, CA $91,413

Modesto, CA $90,793

Poughkeepsie, NY $90,603

Olympia, WA $90,443

Kennewick, WA $90,443

New Haven, CT $90,403

Lawrence, MA $90,103

Hartford, CT $90,013

Riverside, CA $89,993

New Bedford, MA $89,913

Richland, WA $89,913

Bakersfield, CA $89,793

San Bernardino, CA $89,763

New Britain, CT $89,753

Atlantic City, NJ $89,753

New London, CT $89,713

Norwich, CT $89,693

Portsmouth, NH $89,673

Boulder, CO $89,493

Portland, OR $89,373

Worcester, MA $89,363

Minneapolis, MN $89,103

Philadelphia, PA $88,983

Honolulu, HI $88,703

Saint Paul, MN $88,663

Vineland, NJ $88,643

Providence, RI $88,393

Chicago, IL $88,143

Bellingham, WA $88,043

Springfield, MA $87,973

Baltimore, MD $87,953

Chico, CA $87,743

Pittsfield, MA $87,503

Manchester, NH $87,343

Spokane, WA $86,973

Denver, CO $86,963

Albany, NY $86,563

Troy, NY $86,523

Nassau, NY $86,433

Schenectady, NY $86,343

Wilmington, DE $86,283

Burlington, VT $86,163

Salem, OR $86,123

Portland, ME $85,863

Yakima, WA $85,773

Rochester, MN $85,513

Reno, NV $85,473

Fresno, CA $85,473

Milwaukee, WI $85,393

Detroit, MI $85,303

Ann Arbor, MI $85,293

Allentown, PA $85,283

Colorado Springs, CO $85,133

Syracuse, NY $85,093

Carson City, NV $85,093

Houston, TX $84,973

Eugene, OR $84,933

Gary, IN $84,833

Springfield, OR $84,763

Bismarck, ND $84,743

Galveston, TX $84,683

Medford, OR $84,553

Fort Collins, CO $84,523

Concord, NH $84,483

Austin, TX $84,453

Mesa, AZ $84,273

Reading, PA $84,263

Phoenix, AZ $84,263

Dallas, TX $84,233

Saint Cloud, MN $84,153

Madison, WI $84,033

Utica, NY $83,803

Rochester, NY $83,673

Des Moines, IA $83,663

Raleigh, NC $83,653

Atlanta, GA $83,523

Battle Creek, MI $83,503

Salt Lake City, UT $83,473

Lancaster, PA $83,343

Harrisburg, PA $83,223

Kansas City, MO $83,143

Champaign, IL $83,123

Kansas City, KS $83,123

Fort Worth, TX $83,113

Columbus, OH $83,103

Boca Raton, FL $83,083

Pittsburgh, PA $83,043

Richmond, VA $83,013

Indianapolis, IN $82,993

Cleveland, OH $82,983

Las Vegas, NV $82,883

Cincinnati, OH $82,883

Petersburg, VA $82,753

Huntsville, AL $82,633

Lansing, MI $82,573

Lebanon, PA $82,563

Pueblo, CO $82,553

Appleton, WI $82,523

Buffalo, NY $82,493

Dayton, OH $82,463

Racine, WI $82,453

Charlotte, NC $82,443

Saint Louis, MO $82,413

York, PA $82,363

Elkhart, IN $82,363

Gastonia, NC $82,353

Billings, MT $82,333

Beaumont, TX $82,303

Lorain, OH $82,293

Benton Harbor, MI $82,273

Toledo, OH $82,253

Binghamton, NY $82,213

Rock Hill, SC $82,203

Rockford, IL $82,163

Springfield, IL $82,123

Elyria, OH $82,123

Fargo, ND $82,123

Flagstaff, AZ $82,063

Fort Lauderdale, FL $82,003

Duluth, MN $81,953

Miami, FL $81,953

Cheyenne, WY $81,893

Grand Forks, ND $81,893

Bangor, ME $81,713

Cedar Rapids, IA $81,613

Durham, NC $81,583

Louisville, KY $81,573

Grand Rapids, MI $81,553

Hialeah, FL $81,543

Casper, WY $81,423

Scranton, PA $81,323

New Orleans, LA $81,303

Virginia Beach, VA $81,293

Akron, OH $81,253

Peoria, IL $81,133

Sarasota, FL $81,123

Nashville, TN $81,063

Omaha, NE $81,063

Green Bay, WI $81,063

Baton Rouge, LA $81,013

Charleston, SC $81,003

Jamestown, NY $80,963

Davenport, IA $80,963

Tucson, AZ $80,913

Saint Petersburg, FL $80,863

Tampa, FL $80,843

Evansville, IN $80,793

Port Arthur, TX $80,793

Bradenton, FL $80,763

Santa Fe, NM $80,613

Orlando, FL $80,453

Clearwater, FL $80,433

Canton, OH $80,253

La Crosse, WI $80,253

Albuquerque, NM $80,203

Newport News, VA $80,193

High Point, NC $80,163

Ogden, UT $80,133

Corpus Christi, TX $80,063

Norfolk, VA $80,013

Laramie, WY $80,013

Rock Island, IL $79,963

Saginaw, MI $79,943

Jacksonville, FL $79,933

Salisbury, NC $79,913

Boise, ID $79,903

Moline, IL $79,863

Fort Myers, FL $79,833

Memphis, TN $79,813

Tulsa, OK $79,773

Waterloo, IA $79,723

Spartanburg, SC $79,633

Lincoln, NE $79,593

Fort Wayne, IN $79,573

Provo, UT $79,573

Cedar Falls, IA $79,463

San Antonio, TX $79,433

Greensboro, NC $79,393

South Bend, IN $79,393

Savannah, GA $79,293

Muskegon, MI $79,263

Birmingham, AL $79,253

Winston Salem, NC $79,213

Lake Charles, LA $79,003

Anderson, IN $78,993

Lexington, KY $78,963

Augusta, GA $78,933

Greenville, SC $78,933

Lima, OH $78,873

Wichita, KS $78,863

Tuscaloosa, AL $78,863

Columbia, SC $78,783

Springfield, OH $78,763

Asheville, NC $78,633

Bloomington, IN $78,573

Knoxville, TN $78,263

Shreveport, LA $78,253

Wilmington, NC $78,143

Roanoke, VA $78,143

Topeka, KS $77,993

Frankfort, KY $77,983

Oklahoma City, OK $77,923

Chillicothe, OH $77,893

Longview, TX $77,883

Melbourne, FL $77,873

Sioux Falls, SD $77,733

Mobile, AL $77,723

Terre Haute, IN $77,693

Altoona, PA $77,643

Amarillo, TX $77,583

Killeen, TX $77,553

Fayetteville, AR $77,483

Chattanooga, TN $77,463

Sioux City, IA $77,383

Idaho Falls, ID $77,363

Lynchburg, VA $77,303

Gainesville, FL $77,193

Portsmouth, OH $77,143

Little Rock, AR $77,133

Lafayette, LA $77,093

Youngstown, OH $77,093

Daytona Beach, FL $77,043

Clarksville, TN $77,033

Pensacola, FL $77,023

Temple, TX $77,023

Hopkinsville, KY $76,773

Erie, PA $76,753

Florence, SC $76,723

Charleston, WV $76,583

Great Falls, MT $76,543

Macon, GA $76,423

Tallahassee, FL $76,413

Fayetteville, NC $76,393

Waco, TX $76,383

Helena, MT $76,323

Pine Bluff, AR $76,283

Vincennes, IN $76,183

Lubbock, TX $76,153

Alamogordo, NM $76,093

Twin Falls, ID $76,023

Rapid City, SD $75,993

Jackson, MS $75,843

Greenville, MS $75,833

Huntington, WV $75,833

Parkersburg, WV $75,743

Montgomery, AL $75,733

Wichita Falls, TX $75,643

Springfield, MO $75,643

Biloxi, MS $75,603

Monroe, LA $75,513

Johnstown, PA $75,453

Sumter, SC $75,423

Columbus, GA $75,413

Pascagoula, MS $75,253

Abilene, TX $75,253

Kingsport, TN $75,033

Albany, GA $75,033

Gulfport, MS $75,003

Alexandria, LA $74,723

Fort Smith, AR $74,513

El Paso, TX $74,283

Las Cruces, NM $73,893

Harlingen, TX $73,683

Pocatello, ID $73,663

Florence, AL $73,553

Brownsville, TX $73,543

Mcallen, TX $73,363

Dothan, AL $73,243

Columbus, MS $72,733

Altus, OK $72,333

Lawton, OK $72,173

Pierre, SD $71,863

What Skills Can Increase a Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

Process Improvement (Mentioned in 1.66% Job Postings): Analyzing and improving existing processes and workflows to minimize process errors and streamline organizational efficiency.
Continuous Improvement (Mentioned in 1.39% Job Postings): A continual improvement process, also often called a continuous improvement process (abbreviated as CIP or CI), is an ongoing effort to improve products, services, or processes. These efforts can seek "incremental" improvement over time or "breakthrough" improvement all at once. Delivery (customer valued) processes are constantly evaluated and improved in the light of their efficiency, effectiveness and flexibility. Some see CIPs as a meta-process for most management systems (such as business process management, quality management, project management, and program management). W. Edwards Deming, a pioneer of the field, saw it as part of the 'system' whereby feedback from the process and customer were evaluated against organisational goals. The fact that it can be called a management process does not mean that it needs to be executed by 'management'; but rather merely that it makes decisions about the implementation of the delivery process and the design of the delivery process itself.
Quality Control (Mentioned in 0.87% Job Postings): Developing and implementing a set of procedures intended to maintain the quality of a product and reduce any risks or errors.

See More Skills

Skills	Demand Percentage
Process Improvement	1.66%
Continuous Improvement	1.39%
Quality Control	0.87%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer III's salary.

Mechanical Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Word Processing: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.

Skill	Salary	Salary % Increase
Mechanical Engineering	$114,557	12%
Analysis	$113,534	11%
Word Processing	$112,511	10%
Manufacturing Support	$112,511	10%
Manufacturing Processes	$111,488	9%
Technical Support	$111,488	9%

Get Latest Data

Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $115,725. While startup companies pay approximate $97,961.

Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer III Salary by Company Size

Company Size	Employees	Average Salary
Startup	1~50	$97,961
Growth Stage	51~500	$103,578
Established	501~5000	$111,774
Enterprise	5000+	$115,725

Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and MFG Durable sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer positions in MFG Nondurable or Energy & Utilities typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer III

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense	$122,740	$59.0	20%
MFG Durable	$112,511	$54.0	10%

Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer III's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

$93,883

Average $102,283/year

$115,423

$7,824

Average $8,524/month

$9,619

$1,805

Average $1,967/week

$2,220

$45

Average $49/hour

$55

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$115,423	$9,619	$2,220	$55
Average	$102,283	$8,524	$1,967	$49
25th Percentile	$93,883	$7,824	$1,805	$45

Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer III Salary Growth & Career Path

Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer III

CNC Programmer, Lead

For a Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the CNC Programmer, Lead role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $131,300 - a projected growth of 28% over your current level.

Salaries of jobs related to Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer III

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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Computer Numeric Controlled Machine Programmer III job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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